COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Golf’s return to the Olympics after 112 years will have seven Americans, the most of any country for men and women.
It just won’t have their top two men.
USA Golf nominated the players, who qualified through the world ranking last week. They require U.S. Olympic Committee approval.
U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and two-time major champion Jordan Spieth withdrew, Johnson because of the Zika virus threat and Spieth for overall health concerns.
The Americans have four men from the top 15 — Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar. The women have three players from the top 15 — Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller. Piller and her husband, fellow golfer Martin Piller, both live in North Texas.
Countries can have two players to fill each 60-player field, and up to four if all are inside the top 15.
For more on Martin and Gerina Piller:
www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/sports/winning-twosome-fort-worth-s-martin-and-gerina-piller-juggle/article_e61ee94e-6ec7-11e5-befd-ababc967ad7f.html